The Bus Story

When you’re looking for an exciting ride, take the bus.

Those who have cars don’t often get to experience the culture that is a part of the UTA Transit System. Inside those dark windows there are everyday people who have absolutely no similarity with one another, which only adds to the entertainment.

The bus has all sorts of people riding it. They’re readers, gamers, listeners and they all have their own agenda, including the driver.

“I almost hit that guy! Ope, on his cell phone,” said the driver as he barely stopped before barreling into a car.

“My money’s on you winning,” said a passenger.

“Well I tried, and I missed.”

Along with assuming all bus drivers have a sense of humor, others on the bus must be having the same feelings. “I feel like every time I look up, I make eye contact with someone,” was a woman’s understanding of the experience, being by herself for the ride.

Those coming on and off usually are not together; bus riders are most often on a solo trip. This is all unless they’re homeless. According to the Salt Lake City Globe there was over 4000 homeless people every night in 2007, and apparently they board the bus in packs.

“Yeah I hope Obama does what he promised he would,” was the voice of one of the three that congregated in the back of the bus. They didn’t keep the conversation to themselves however, other passengers chimed in to give their take.

There is nothing to look at outside, so listening to the passengers are a great source for entertainment.
Entertainment can come from all angles. A Hispanic family came on the bus and a UTA employee escorted them on. She told the driver to make sure they get to a certain stop. The driver did just that and the family, including a small child and a stroller, was able to get home safe and sound.

The seats are uncomfortable, some of the passengers can smell and the phrase most often muttered is “There goes my stop.” However, the Provo bus system is a bit friendlier than expected and safer as well. Dirty, cloudy windows seem to hide what’s really inside.

Movie Review: Madagascar 2

2nd times the charm

Madagascar 2 is just as funny as the first and more.

When the team of lost New York Zoo animals tries to get off their human less island of Madagascar, they instead land in Africa. They don’t know the significance of where they wound up, but quickly discover this “middle of nowhere” is a lot more familiar than they first expected.

Alex (Ben Stiller) the lion, Gloria (Jade Smith) the hippo, Melman (David Schwimmer) the giraffe and Marty (Chris Rock) the zebra make up the movie’s main team. Plus, the always-funny military penguins and King Julian with his two counterparts have their own little adventure alongside the grand scheme.

The film served its purpose in making the audience never stop laughing as well as showing the common favorite characters, the penguins and King Julian, much more than the first installment. Thanks to the characters already being developed, the story got started and the movie was past any introduction and already to the bulk before it even began. The comedy was well represented for both adult and child scenarios.

Warning: watch the first movie
Why: the second one is much more enjoyable and laughable if the characters and mannerisms are already established

So, if you haven’t seen the first, rent it for a buck at a redbox, than hit the theatre for the second.

There is a precaution, prepare yourself for a lot of the old lady from the first movie; she leads the antagonists in the second. She certainly doesn’t ruin the film, but her part is someone overdone and annoying at times. She does, however, get what she deserves in the end.

I give Madagascar 2 a 7.5 out of 10.